Best Wilderness Lodges: AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch

AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch (Bretton Woods, NH)

The Appalachian Mountain Club's Highland Center at Crawford Notch is exactly what most of us are looking for in a wilderness lodge: a simple place to rest up after big days in the backcountry. Eight trailheads fan out into the rugged White Mountain National Forest, and every guest has access to the well-stocked L.L. Bean gear room. Plus, you can learn some skills while you're there: Staff teaches year-round outdoor courses, from map and compass to "mountain leadership" [from $80; outdoors.org].